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Wildlife officials to discuss water project

The Colorado Division of Wildlife next week will release an analysis of the potential effects on the Colorado River basin of a proposed Denver Water diversion project.

Division staff members are scheduled to discuss the Moffat Firming Project during a workshop of the Colorado Wildlife Commission on Thursday in Colorado Springs.

Firming projects are designed to provide reliable water supplies even during dry years. The Denver Water project would deliver an additional 18,000 acre-feet of water annually from the Western Slope through an existing collection system, the Division of Wildlife said in a news release.

In October, the wildlife commission heard a report about the possible effects of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District Windy Gap Firming Project, which would divert up to 30,000 additional acre-feet of upper Colorado River water to a proposed Boulder County reservoir. That report predicted a decrease in fishing habitat in the river and reduced flows for kayaking and rafting, among other impacts.

Denver Water and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District have agreed to help assess the effects of their projects on the Colorado River and propose ways to mitigate them.

Among other agenda items Thursday, the wildlife commission is scheduled to hear about the effects of wild horses on wildlife habitat and be updated on a possible wolverine reintroduction project.

The meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Crowne Plaza at 2886 S. Circle Drive in Colorado Springs.